It was November in the small, hidden city by the bay.
A cold wind was starting to take over the city, which led people to stay inside more often.
However, for some people, being able to venture outside these days was something they should be thankful for.

Especially since the vampire threat was apparently behind them.
Which, for Sade, was perfect timing.

Sade: Hmmm it's a nice day outside, huh Jasper?
Jasper snored loudly on the bed next to her.
Sade: Jasper!!!!

Jasper: Hmm? I'm up. What's wrong?
Sade: Nothing. I said it was a nice outside. We should do something.

Sade: We could go to that new steakhouse. I took off work.
Jasper: Tonight? I'm working.
Sade: Ugh but tonight is special!

Jasper: What's so special? It's another windy, cloudy Wednesday in Washington. Besides. It's not completely safe at night. Fiona and them may have killed some vampires, but who's to say there aren't more?

Sade:...Are you serious? I'm leaving.

Jasper: Hey, wait! What did I do?!

Sade: It's my birthday! I can't believe you forgot!
Jasper: I'm...I'm sorry. It's been so crazy around here lately. I'll try to switch with Edwin tonight. Maybe I can work his shift tomorrow.
Sade: That's what everyone's excuse is lately! Whatever, go to work. I guess we can't live our lives ever again because of some bloodsucking freaks.






Sade: What's this? Some sort of study group?

Sarah: We are looking at old spell books and journals. There might be something in them about this ritual that the vampires are trying to perform.

Sade: Why? We haven't had any vampire problems for weeks!

Naomi: In case you haven't noticed, Darcy is still missing. I'm pretty sure the vampires are planning their attack. We would be stupid if we just forgot about them.
Sade: I thought that Darcy called and said she was fine.
Naomi: She could be lying. They might have her and they are after Fiona next. This is serious.

Sade: Well do you guys want to take a break or something? We can go out tonight, It's....

Sarah: It's a Wednesday. There's nothing more important than our safety right now.
Naomi: Exactly. So you can either help out your friend or leave us alone.

Sade: Fine.....I guess....I'll just be in my room.


Sade: All they care about is Fiona. I wish that for once they would care about me.

Rika: Hey Sade, are you OK?

Sade: Look I know we don't have real doors here, but it doesn't mean you can just barge into my room and act like my friend! To me you are just some random roommate that helps us pay utilities.
Rika: I'm sorry. It's just that I heard crying.

Sade: Just get out.










Downtown...
Alex Benston decided to pay JJ Reese a visit.

This was of course to ask about Darcy Reese.

...again.

JJ: Dude...this is the fifth time this week.
Alex: I'm sorry. I just wanted to know if...

JJ: The last time she called was about a day after she went missing. She said she was fine and would come back when she was ready. I haven't heard from her since.
Alex: Aren't you worried? She is your sister.
JJ: My sister has been running away and coming back since she was thirteen. I'm not worried; just pissed off that she triggered the curse and probably wants to kill me for not telling her about it. So you know what keeps my mind off all this? Beer.

JJ: You look like you could use one. Why don't you come inside?








Sarah: Brrr. Aren't you cold out here? It's pretty wet too.
Rika: I am from Portland you know. I really like it when it rains. Besides, I just had to take advantage of this amazing balcony you guys have. It's very relaxing up here.
Sarah: I'm glad you are liking it here. I'm sorry we haven't thrown a party for you or anything. We've all been sort of busy.
Rika: Oh yeah. I saw you guys downstairs with all those books. Are you studying or something?

Sarah: That is just too long of a story. I'll tell you eventually.

Sarah: So how about we go downstairs and hang out with everyone? We can do a movie night!

Sarah began to walk towards the door but tripped over a shoelace.


Sarah: Eeesh. I am such a klutz! Oh well it's just a tiny cut.

Whooosh

Sarah: Huh? Where'd you go?

Rika: Damn. I need to be more careful or they will find out who I am.



Later that night....
Sade was prepared to celebrate her birthday on her own.


Sade:What are you doing?

Jasper: I got someone to cover my shift at the store. We were thinking of taking you out for dinner.

Sarah:We are so sorry about forgetting your birthday. It's been confusing around here lately, you know that.

Sade: Yeah I definitely know that. All you guys ever care about is Fiona, Fiona, Fiona! Nothing new to me.

Fiona: Hey! I didn't ask for any of this!

Sade: Yeah right! Face it, Fiona. You love being in the spotlight! Last summer when we threw a party to celebrate Sarah's job, you draw the attention on yourself to announce your stupid internship! Or how about when you started crying during my sweet sixteen and everyone spent the night consoling you!
Fiona: My boyfriend dumped me and I was upset! I'm sorry that I have emotions and can't always be perfect!
Sade: I don't care!!! It's always been like this since we were in elementary school! My birthday is supposed to be the one day a year when people can act like I matter.
Jasper: C'mon guys, don't fight.

Sarah: You are so fucking selfish!!!
Jasper: Sarah...please.
Sarah: Fiona could be killed! All you care about is yourself! You want to walk around and throw yourself a pity party? NEWS FLASH Sade! You bring all your problems upon yourself!!

Sade: Thanks Sarah!!! I now see ,after fifteen years of friendship, how you really feel about me!


Sarah: I'm sorry about that Jasper. I really didn't mean to yell.
Jasper: It's fine. I'll go talk to her.


Sade: Leave me alone.

Jasper: C'mon we can go to your favorite restaurant. We can just forget all about this.
Sade: That's sweet, but I really just want to be left alone.

Sade: I'll call you when my head is clear.



About three hours later.
Alex had finally stumbled home.


Carolina: What's up with you?

Alex: Sorry Lina. *hic*...I went over to JJ's to ask about Darcy. Somehow we ended up drinking an entire twelve pack.
Carolina: That's just a bit weird. I guess JJ doesn't hate you anymore? I'm also guessing that Darcy isn't coming back.
Alex: Nope and...*hic*....nope.

Carolina: Well I have something that will take your mind off things for a while.
Alex: Like what?
Carolina: Mom's case files just arrived. I put them all in your room.
Alex: No way!!! They finally cleaned out her office??
Carolina: Yep. So you go do that while I finish dinner.

Alex: This just made my whole night.



*sobbing*

Rika: Is The Notebook on or something?
Sarah: *sob* Something.....*sob* like that.

Rika: Sarah. This is the news..

Rika: What's really going on?
Sarah: It's stupid honestly.
Rika: If it's making a nice girl like you cry then it's really not stupid.
Sarah:I had a fight with Sade. We yelled at each other, something we never do, and she ran out. I have been trying to reach her since. I made my best friend run away on her birthday. What kind of horrible person does that?
Rika: Only every human being on the planet. I can't tell you how many times I've had horrible fights with friends only to make up with them twenty minutes later.
Sarah: What if she never forgives me?
Rika: Her loss.
Now. What do you say we watch a real movie.


Ring! Ring!
Sarah: Don't worry. You go answer that; I'll look up a movie on Netflix.


Rika: Joseph.
Joseph: Hello Rika. Is everything going according to plan?
Rika: Yes. I've earned their trust. They are not stupid though. That Salem witch and the wizard are doing research on the ritual. Once I become closer with them, I can find out exactly what they know.
Joseph: How are you so sure that this witch won't recognize you from the last time?
Rika: She has never seen me, trust me.

Joseph: I see. How about the werewolf girl? I trust you have made arrangements for her to stay on our side when the time comes?
Rika: Yes. The grand witch and wizard are with her.
Joseph: Good. I hope to see some progress by the time I get back from Egypt. If not, I will take matters into my own hands. Understand?
Rika: Yes.

Rika: I will never leave your side again.





Alex: Wow. I never realized how much mom traveled. She worked on some really high profile cases! I guess we just never asked questions when she went away. I kinda regret it now.

Carolina: *yawn* Yeah she was pretty cool back in the day. Anyways, I'm really tired. I'll leave these out for you to look through and you can tell me all about them in the morning.

Alex: Goodnight.

Alex: Hmm....Let's see what we have here.

Alex: Oh wow! A "top secret" box!

Alex: Wait.....what's this?

Alex:....The vampire hit list?




Sade: Keep them coming!
Bartender:I think you've had enough for the night. Why don't you go on home? It's pretty dead tonight anyway.
Sade: Listen, dude. I've had a really SHIT day so I would really appreciate it if you just shut up and give me another shot.

Voice: Charming girl.

Sade: Thanks, I try. You look familiar. Did we ever hook up?
Marcus: Nah. I'm gay. I overheard you talking about your shit day. I'm having one too.
Sade: Oh yeah? What happened?

Marcus: A friend died. Listen, I'll gladly sit here and mope with you, but can we do that with some beer?




A few minutes later...

Marcus: Yeah so that's my story. How about you?
Sade: I don't even know where to begin. My parents think I'm trash, because I never turned out like my Ivy league sister. I spent my college savings on a crazy trip to Europe right after high school. Since then, nothing has really changed. I work at a shitty diner while all my friends have fancy internships or office jobs. In ten years they will be hosting dinner parties in their dream houses while I'll still be here wiping down tables.
Marcus: Damn, your life is pretty pathetic.

Sade: It sure is...
Marcus: C'mon, let's dance our problems away instead.
Sade smiled and wiped way her tears.
Sade: I would love to.

Marcus: You are going to leave and lock the front doors. Never return.

Anberlin: Enjoy the Silence playing:





Sade: You're a really good dancer.
Marcus: Something my late friend taught me.

Sade: I'm so sorry about her. What was her name?
Marcus: Jane.

Marcus: Don't feel sorry for me. She lived a fantastic life. She would want me to be here dancing with you.
Sade: You're really sweet. Thanks for making my birthday a little bit less crappy.

Marcus: *sigh* You know what you need,Sade?
Sade: What?

Marcus shoved Sade away from him.
He bit down into his arm, allowing blood to flow freely.


Sade:Mmmmm!!! Stop....!!!

Sade: Ew!! What the fuck are you doing?!!
Marcus: Making your life a whole lot better.

Sade: Leave me alone, freak!

Sade: You're.....a ...v..vampire aren't...y..you?

Marcus: Yes.

Marcus: See you in the afterlife.
Sade screamed as Marcus picked her up by her neck.
Soon she lost consciousness as his grip tightened.
Finally.....it was over and she collapsed onto the bar.



Marcus: Laughing